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Topic: Kidney Stones (Read 3618 times)

It is estimated that 1 in every 1,000 adults is hospitalized with kidney stones each year and 60% of those will have another stone episode within 7 years. Symptoms include pain in the middle back, which radiates around the stomach toward the genitalia, increased urine, which may contain blood or pus, nausea and vomiting. Urinary tract infections may be caused by lodged stones that accumulate bacteria causing the infection.

CAUSE? Diet for the most part, as in most disease is the principle culprit in the formation of kidney stones. One study of 241 male kidney stone patients found that they all had a few things in common. They all had very low amounts of magnesium in their diet and they all ate large meals consisting of animal protein at dinnertime and late in the evening.Too little potassium along with not enough fruits and vegetables cause the minerals in the urine to precipitate into stones. Consumption of soft drinks (heavy in phosphoric acid) also encourages the recurrence of kidney stones in some persons.

SOLUTION? Magnesium and B6. Magnesium is reknowned for its calcium channel blocking effect and has been shown to reduce the formation of stones by reducing the calcium oxalate in the blood that makes up the stones. In Japan researchers found that in certain basalt rich areas of the country where the magnesium to calcium ratio was very high the incidence of kidney stones was almost non-existent. In limestone rich areas where the magnesium to calcium ratio was very low, residents had a high incidence of kidney stones.

Magnesium inhibits the formation of calcium-oxalate crystals in the urine. In one study 55 patients with recurrent kidney stones were given magnesium (magnesium hydroxide) daily for 4 years. Urinary magnesium excretion increased promptly and remained elevated during the entire study. The average number of stone episodes fell by 90%, and 85% of the patients remained stone free (compared to only 41% of the others who did not receive magnesium). According to the National Institutes of Health 80% of Americans are deficient in this essential mineral nutrient. Vitamin B6 prevents stones primarily through its effect on oxalate metabolism. Some individuals produce excess oxalate. Oxalate is manufactured in the body from the amino acid glycine and other compounds. B6 seems to correct that abnormality in the body. B vitamins are like an army. None individually area as strong as they are as a group. Always use them as a group for best effect. The [minerals] B complex is a water-soluble form of all the B vitamins with enough B6 to do the job.The combined effect of vitamin B6 and magnesium was tested in a landmark study performed 25 years ago. 149 recurrent stone patients were given magnesium and B6 daily for 4.5-6 years. Before receiving this treatment these patients suffered an average of 1.3 stones per person per year. Stone formations fell to .1 per person per year, a 92.3% improvement!

OTHER HELPS Studies have shown that too little water intake can encourage the precipitation of calcium into stones. Chronic dehydration is one of the most common causes of kidney stone formation. Most feel 2 quarts a day with a little lemon juice added (cuts down on uric acid, a contributor to the stones) is sufficient. Defatted rice bran contains phytin, which binds to calcium in the intestine keeping it from becoming solid. Studies show this effect may be of benefit in preventing the recurrence of stones in people with too much of the wrong form of calcium. 10 grams per day of this fiber has been shown to diminish the amount of urinary calcium being excreted from the body which in turn has been shown to reduce the incidence of kidney stone formation.Source: www.essense-of-life.com

The Influence Of Caffeine On Kidney StonesNumerous dietary factors manipulate kidney stone formation for better and for worse. There are eatables that you are better off avoiding and there are others that must be incorporated in your diet. Caffeine, found in beverages such a tea, coffee and soft drinks, adds to the perilous threat of kidney stones. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the human body. It is found in different proportions in tealeaves, coffee beans, guarana berries, cocoa and more. Caffeine works to keep drowsiness at a bay and brings about alertness. Thus, it is the most popular and most-consumed psychotropic substance. The principal source of caffeine intake in humans is known to be coffee beans. A recent study has revealed that caffeine may put you at a risk of developing kidney stones. Therefore, if you are prone to kidney stones, coffee is best avoided or at least the daily intake must be reduced to no more than two small cups. The study was initially conducted on a group of people with a history of kidney stones. These patients were administered caffeine equivalent to that found in two cups of coffee. Urine tests conducted on these subjects revealed a considerable elevation in the calcium level, which is a precursor of kidney stone formation. A similar study conducted on subjects with no history of kidney stones produced similar results. These individuals were given caffeine with water. They had consumed nothing for the past 14 hours and urine tests had been conducted two hours prior to caffeine intake. Urine tests were carried out again after two hours of caffeine consumption. The results showed that calcium levels in their urine were as high as in 30 participants with a history of kidney stones who had been subjected to the exact same test. Both groups also displayed elevated levels of sodium, magnesium and citrate. The results of this study were revealed in an interview with Reuters by Linda Massey, study leader at Washington State University in Spokane. She concluded that excessive calcium and sodium in the urine hold risks of kidney stone formation. On the contrary, elevated levels of magnesium and citrate have desirable opposite results. Thus, regardless of whether you are prone to kidney stones or not, do restrict your daily caffeine intake and manage a regular ingestion of magnesium and citrate. This will help you stay kidney stone free.

How is the recuperation coming along, Scott? What you are going through is something I have not had and I sure hope I don't get it.

I'm kind of against spartan food and drink regimes unless put on to them by the physician. For example, as told before, I've given up caffeine pm but still like my morning coffee and tea. I was just drinking too much of the heavy stuff and it had lost its effect. Also have gone to red meat and eggs maybe once a week. I still like both but not as much as I used to. Those acquainted with Australian habits will understand that I can't give up Vegemite despite its high salt content. Actually, I think it is the key to great longevity

Not too shabby. The stones are still there but they put a stint in so the kidney could drain.

When they blasted the stone on Monday they just made the 6mm into two 3mm stones and they kinda got stuck next to each other, go figure. The stint is doing me proud. I assume they will need to blast the stones one more time. They think the stones separated when they put the stint in but they could not tell. Due for an X-ray sometime this week. Spent all day working, 14 hours into work so far, about to quit. Must. Catch. Up.

At least they can keep an eye on what is happening. Was a lot worse when they couldn't.Work at least takes your mind off it. In better times, hitting a tennis ball has the same effect on one's problems.Keep us posted.

Hey, Scott! I hope your recovery goes well. My Ma never ceases advising me on my lack of water consumption, and disturbingly enough, I have been ignoring her advice.. I guess I better get my act together before my kidneys give up on me.. Get well soon!!

They hit me with the procedure again this morning where they blast me from the outside. They say they think they got it this time, we will find out. Still have the stint in, that comes out in a week. Hoping they would remove it while I was passed out, now I get the pleasure of being awake when they remove it. And for all the guys in the room, you do not want to know how they go get it!

Feeling fine now. They blasted me again last Wed and then took the stent out Friday. Blasting me was a piece of cake. Removing the stent was not cool... Appears everything has passed. Not a fun experience, that is for sure!

Scott? Courageous? He whined like a little baby for 3 weeks over much to do about nothing! A little tiny stone? Man up! Our 4.5 team lost a match cuz he couldn't play thru a little pain! He needs to take after me. Get hit in the nads with a 140mph overhead at point blank range and shrug it off like a mosquito bite. cough cough

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I was at this casino minding my own business, and this guy came up to me and said, "You're gonna have to move, you're blocking a fire exit." As though if there was a fire, I wasn't gonna run. If you're flammible and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg